Grant scouring for new staff

Jose Mourinho's backroom staff left the club along with the Portuguese coach when he left by mutual consent last Wednesday.

The speed of events has left Grant working alongside Mourinho's assistant Steve Clarke but the 52-year-old Israeli confirmed plans were in place to install his own team, saying: "Everything happened so quickly but we are looking for staff that will be good for Chelsea. We are still looking but I think in two or three weeks, you will see the arrival of the new staff."

He added: "The previous staff did a very good job here but they decided to go with Jose. I understand them. I want to do it as quickly as possible but we want quality and will take our time.

"We are looking in England and abroad. We need a fitness and a goalkeeping coach. We are using people from the academy at the moment and they are doing a very good job."

Grant revealed how he had spoken to most of the squad individually and was happy with the response since taking over from Mourinho.

Even though suggestions of dressing-room unrest still cloud Mourinho's departure, Grant is full of praise for the way the players have responded to the traumatic events of last week. Their spirit during the 2-0 defeat against Manchester United on Sunday was enough to convince him he has their backing.

Grant said: "I have spoken with most of them. I want feedback from them on the pitch and when they speak with me. They speak with me very well. The injured players are trying to get back sooner than expected. If I can judge through their actions, then everything is okay.

"I was happy with what I saw against United on Sunday. The past is important for each one of us, even for me. Although I was only here two months with Jose, I enjoyed working with him. The players need to remember the good things and be sensitive to the situation but most importantly and I told them, you can be sensitive and I like that, but at the end of the day we need to play and be professional on the pitch."